Budget Friendly Offie Decorating

Some of you may or may not know this, but recently I went back to working full time outside of  my home.  While it was a difficult decision to make, it was the best decision for me.  Something else you all may or may not know is that I am an aesthetic person.  I like beautiful and personal things around me.  From past experience I have learned that in many cases, less is more, especially in work environments where you can be forced to move around or relocate.  I can remember having a box of shoes under my desk at one point in my career.  I think when I moved my office from one building to another, I threw most of the shoes away.  (That says a lot about the number of shoes I have, but that is a topic for another blog).

So once I was assigned to my new workspace, a pretty spacious cubicle on the top floor where most of the Directors are located, I knew that working 8 hours and staring at blank, white walls was not going to work for me.  I also did not want to spend a lot of money to make the space look nice and I knew I wanted the space to feel like and represent me.  So I spent a Sunday afternoon scouting for some items to brighten up my new workspace.

Ironically, the most expensive item I purchased for the space was $3.99.  So I definitely did not break the bank. I placed myself on a $20 spending limit, I am great at finding great items on clearance and maximizing things that I already have.  I did not exceed my budget, and after editing what I did purchase and returning an item that I decided I did not want, I was able to make the space more welcoming and less institutional.

Here are the items I purchased.

Good Morning Shadow Box.  This box was just cute and sassy, a lot like me. While I am not into the lash trend, I have pretty nice natural lashes, this was something that spoke to the glam girl in me.  It shows that I am friendly, and that I have a little sass (well I have a lot of sass, they will get to know that eventually).  I found this item on the shelf at Dollar Tree.

img-3840.jpg

Conversation Dice.  I found this at Marshalls for $3.99.  As I was browsing the clearance section, the shelves were being stocked and this was one of the new items added to the shelves.  I thought this was something cute and whimsical that could not only be a conversation started when meeting new co-workers as they walk past.  It is also a conversation starter and can be inspirational to them and to me.

 

Transparent Shadow Box.  Another Dollar Tree find.  Just something to add a little inspiration to the space.  While I do Aim to Inspire, I feel that it is something others should strive to do as well.  We all have something to offer the world and I hope that this is a good reminder to my co-workers as they walk past to be an inspiration to themselves or to someone else.

IMG-3848

Canvas Wall Hangings.  These were also picked up at Dollar Tree.  I placed these vertically on the wall directly in front of where I sit.  When I have those moments of boredom or overwhelm, there is a lot to read and a lot to learn, I have a little dose of colorful inspiration to look at.  The placement is perfect.  I can see all three just over my computer monitor, so the placement selection was spot on.  I remember David Bromstad from HGTV saying to always purchase things in groups of three, this way it is easier for you to edit if you need to and you don’t run the risk of an item no longer being in stock.  This piece of advice has served me well in my decorating endeavors.

IMG-4672

There were some other items that I had at home and brought along with me.

One of those items was my colorful calendar that I picked up in the dollar, (not really dollar anymore) section at Target at the beginning of the year.  I was drawn to the pink in the calendar as well as the rose gold binding.

calendar.jpg

Several months ago I attended a Captain Morgan’s event where they were introducing their new Apple Smash Flavor, (more about that here).  The drinks were served in these really cute plastic green apple shapes with lids.  I knew that I could find a way to repurpose them, and what better was than to keep paper and binder clips all together and within arms reach?  I took the green apples home and washed them and there you have it.  No cost for these and I think they are so cute.

 

I was gifted a desk sign that reads, “It Is A Woman’s Prerogative to Change Her Mind”.  It is also in my favorite color, PINK.  This was a gift from a former co-worker who retired.  I will always remember her spunky, feisty ways and the way she was a work aunt to me.  She kept me laughing, encouraged me in everything I did and would occasionally catch a ride home from work with me.

IMG-3841

The only thing I have left to add that I haven’t yet is a few personal pictures.  Once I get them printed out, the office transformation will be complete.  One of my new co-workers gifted me with a few pieces from some of her plants to root.  I will be heading back to Dollar Tree for a few of their tall glass vases that will do the trick for the rooting plants.  I am not feeling the old water bottles that I am currently using.

It doesn’t take a big budget to make a space feel more comfortable or cozy.  If you are like me and like to be surrounded by things that bring back good memories but also inspire you, you can find inspiration all around.  Dollar Tree has some great items, you just have to look with a creative eye.  Some of my other places are Hobby Lobby, Ross, Marshalls and Home Goods.  You just have to look and sometimes think of how things can be used in non-traditional ways.

Happy Decorating,

Be Blessed, Be Fabulous!

pink-lips

 

 

 

Advertisement

Holiday Gifts Under $20

As I continue with my mission to help you shop for fabulous gifts without breaking the bank, today we have gifts that you can purchase that are under $20.  If you are just beginning the series you can go back to the gifts for under $5 post here, the gifts for under $10 gift guide here, or yesterday’s gifts for under $15.  Let’s dive into today’s choices.

  1.  Handsy Bookends $18.95 (Tech Tools via Amazon)handsey bookends 18.99 For the reader in your life who could use a decorative and creative way to store books.
  2. Key Chain Charger $13.99 (Home Depot) gold-13.99

This is a great gift for the friend that is addicted to Apple products.  This Apple certified charger fits on your keychain, is stylish and portable.  Great for the I-Phone user who always has issues with their phone battery being low.

3.  Charging Clutch (17.98) (New York and Company)Glitter-Finish-Charging-Wallet-_08301526_002 17.98For any friend who like a stylish way to charge their phone.  He universal charger is compatible with most phones.  What a cute clutch for a day of after Christmas shopping and a discreet way to charge your phone without having to worry about the battery draining.

4.  Vanilla Puddin Chardonnay $16.99 (Vanilla Puddin)

vanilla puddin 16.99The year of Black Girl Magic and Entrepreneurship continues.  This wine is the creation of Gabrielle Union.  While I am not a fan of Chardonnay, you may be or you may have a friend who is and this wine would make a great gift.

5.  Monogrammed Journals $18.00 (Anthropologie)

monogrammed journal

A stylish option and it is not very large, so it can easily fit into a purse.  Also a great gift for that entrepreneur in your life who takes lots of notes or that person who like to write everything down.

6.  The Body Shop Gift Set $19.00 (The Body Shop)

handfuls-of-happiness-caring-19-00-e1512333859731.jpg

A gift for the person who is always asking “Do you have any lotion?”  This gift set will allow that person to always have hand cream on hand (no pun intended, well maybe unintentionally).  There is a cream for the car, one for the purse and one for the work or gym bag.  Now you can ask them for lotion.

7.  Dice USB Charger $14.29 (Target)

playa dice cube 19.99

For the man in your life, or the person who cannot seem to keep up with their charger, this is a great option.  Who would ever lose this?

8.  We’re Going To Need More Wine $14.99 (Amazon)

gunion book.jpg

What better way to wind down the remainder of the year than with a good book?  Several celebrities have released books this year like Taranji Henson and Jennifer Lewis.  This is a great time to take advantage of the sales and grab one or several of their books to enjoy.  And this particular book with a glass of Vanilla Puddin, would make for a nice relaxing evening.  (All of the aforementioned books are under $20).

9.  World Traveler Mugs $7.99 each (World Market)

What a way to encourage the person in your life who always talks about travel and never goes anywhere.  Pick up a few of this mugs to encourage them to make their dreams a reality.  What a creative way to push them closer to their dream destination.

10.  Marble Coasters $12.99 for a set of $ (World Market)

WorldMarket marblecoasters 12.99Another nice gift selection for the hostess in your life or that sister in law or cousin that is always screaming about a coaster for your drink.  The neutral tone would make the perfect addition to any home décor.